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The Week-end of
17th
September 2006
in Bahrain will be observed as “SEA SUNDAY WEEK-END” to pray for
Seafarers and thank God for the sacrifices they make and all they do
for us. Sea Sunday is the day when we are asked to think about seafarers on whom we depend for many of the things that we use, wear or eat every day. It is also an opportunity to remember the Church’s outreach to them through The Mission to Seafarers, which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary. It would be difficult to over-estimate the importance of seafarers to us as individuals, and to the global economy. Every year, their ships carry a tonne of cargo for every man, woman and child on our planet. In fact, they help to make the world go round. Yet, it is very easy to forget about their contribution to our wellbeing when they spend so much of their lives isolated and invisible at sea. It has always been thus. When The Mission to Seafarers started its work in 1856, seafarers were regarded as outcasts and lived harsh, dangerous and isolated lives. Ships may have changed considerably since then, but seafarers still lose their lives in shipping accidents and piracy is a major problem in some parts of the world. Chaplains regularly report cases of non-payment of wages, stranded and abandoned crews, and problems relating to safety and living conditions. The story of stranded crewmembers of supply tugboat ”AUDRY” in Bahrain for a year will re-fresh our memory. These are in addition to the traditional difficulties that seafarers have always faced, such as long periods away from their homes and families, and isolation from amenities ashore that the rest of us can take for granted. In fact, more efficient cargo-handling techniques allowing ships to load and unload in a matter of hours, and security measures put in place in ports following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, mean that seafarers are more isolated than ever they were in the C19th. So the work of The Mission to Seafarers is needed as much as ever. Today, the Mission is at work in 230 ports worldwide caring for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all races and creeds, visiting them on their ships, offering them a welcome, visiting them in hospital, and taking up justice and welfare issues on their behalf. In over 100 ports the Mission to Seafarers also runs centres (in Bahrain we have our Centre in Mina Sulman port and one in ASRY Dry-Dock), where seafarers can relax away from their ships, find friendship, help with any problems and, most important of all, use the telephone or email facilities to keep in touch with their families. This work is vital but we can’t do it without your prayers and support. We all can in one way or another assist in this vital ministry. My sincere thanks to all who have supported me in the past year and look forward to continue in future. So, on Sea Sunday, please remember seafarers and The Mission to Seafarers’ care for them over 150 years. To support the Mission to Seafarers’ work in Bahrain we will be holding our Annual fund Raising Dinner & Dance – Featuring “The Dilmun Dixie Landers” on
Please pencil this
date in your diary and support the Mission’s work in Bahrain. If you
need more information call me on mobile/e-mail (listed on inside
cover page). |
